Students and seniors switching to OPUS cards have had to endure incredible waits at the McGill metro station this week, prompted by the deadline for old-style tickets.

As of Tuesday, the Montreal transit system has replaced paper tickets and bus passes with OPUS cards for all users. The old-style, small paper tickets will no longer be accepted on the bus or the metro.

Only OPUS cards, other magnetic cards and the larger, magnetic-stripe tickets can be used. The cards cost $3.50, and are then loaded with monthly passes or individual tickets

Students and seniors, who require a photo ID OPUS, can obtain a reduced-rate card, but it is available at McGill metro station only.

"The line up was about three hours long a couple of days ago," said one user.

During the back-to-school period, the STM will be visiting learning institutions across the city, enabling students 12 to 25 to obtain or renew their OPUS card. The reduced-rate card must be renewed every year before Oct. 31.

Commuters who still have paper tickets can be refunded at the lost-and-found counter at the Berri-UQAM metro station.

Despite the long lines for reduced-rate cards, most Montrealers seem to be pleased with the efficiency of the system.

"Yeah, I think it's a lot easier to swipe it as opposed to passing in through," said one user at Papineau metro station Tuesday.

"It's just a lot faster to recharge and then you never have to wait in line," said another commuter.

The STM said the OPUS card also helps reduce fraud by avoiding the "double swipe" users used to get away with on monthly passes.

For the full explanation of how the OPUS card works, please visit the STM's website by clicking the link to the right.